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He makes some pragmatic points but in the end I think it’s a moot point what Germans think/do about the Russia/Ukraine situation. They have only so many card they can play (as the author hints at but doesn’t say outright).

Russia has some deep systemic problems. Not enough population and an aging population. There is much alcoholism and years of little to no experience with entrepreneurship. On the plus side they do have energy resources and they could conceivably overcome their population issues with immigration. Putin is playing a risky game ... time is not on his side and who knows what events could overtake him (like ISIS in the middle east). But by long term thinking I think he is right. If he can pull it off without, like I said, events overtaking him. He needs more young people on his side.

Steingart is writing from an extremely short term thinking perspective. He is also right, short term, that it is not good for Germany to upset Russia. Not good for trade, etc.

I also think his tea party remarks are completely wrong, but that is par for the course for almost anyone writing in media today. They all just echo each other and do not understand anything about the tea party movement in America.

>> Do you agree with Gabor Steingart?

Unfortunately, no. I have a passport.

I don’t mind being insulted through generalizations, but I’m not obligated to consume it. Too bad — the article had potential.